Wil McCutcheon presents ~ The Keremeos Columns ~ EarthCache
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Wil McCutcheon presents ~ The Keremeos Columns ~
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On a mountain to the east, high above the community of Olalla, British Columbia, just north of the town of Keremeos, lies the 57 acre Keremeos Columns Provincial Park.
Established in July 1931, the park was created to showcase unique volcanic formations. An interesting fact which accompanies this park’s description is that the original survey crew
made some mistakes, resulting in the focus geologic features being ‘excluded’
. This is why the towering rock columns are found just outside the actual Keremeos Columns Provincial Park boundary.
During the summer of 2010, I had the pleasure of communicating with one of the present owners, Mrs. Clifton (an extremely pleasant lady to chat with I might add!) of the surrounding range land upon which the columns are located. As well, I had a fantastic visit up at the columns with one of their neighbours who frequently treks up with his family to this beautiful area. This neighbour informed me that at one time a secure gate, located near the foot of the mountain where Liddicoat Rd & Pin Cushion intersect, limited visitor access.
The Clifton Family operates a prominent cattle range and bull testing station in this area. At one time, mandatory permission was required to pass by the lower valley point in order to ensure the cows remained behind the perimeter and as a means for (preferably) screening out rude visitors with reckless intentions (ie. - party-goers
, people dumping garbage
, off-roaders with careless attitudes
, etc.). A posted phone number was provided in order to contact ‘the Cliftons’ for those who wished to visit the park. Some tourism sites still display the phone number and permissions info.
Presently, there is no longer a closed/locked gate. Let's remember to show our respect while traversing the Clifton's property so that a new barrier is not re-required!
The owner(s) informed me that they have never stopped decent folks from heading up and enjoying the spectacular geological formations. All they ask is that you pack out your garbage, do not start any fires (including campfires), no camping please, be respectful while driving up the 4x4 road, and to re-close & properly secure the cattle gate which you pass through near the top (as well as any other that may be in the closed position up along the way).
A fair number of hearty souls regularly enjoy their trek, cycle, and/or 4x4 adventure up the 5+ kilometre climb. Mrs. Clifton has expressed to me that although people are openly welcome to hike/ride/drive up to the park via their private landscape, she always appreciates a courtesy call!
Please consider phoning her (the Cliftons) at (250-499-5638) and respectfully letting them know you are heading up. If there is no-one available to answer to your call, - don't worry, it's ok for you to proceed on up! Thanks for your polite attempt to make initial contact!
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The Keremeos Columns wall, comprised as a dramatic curtain of basalt pillars, is roughly 30 meters (90 feet) in height with a span of (approximate) 100+ meters (300+ feet).
This majestic volcanic formation is the result of magma which began cooling far below the surface. Initialy, slower cooling allowed for 'some' crystal growth which remained suspended within the (then) viscous mix.
This process formed large (2mm) crystallized grains or 'spots' which one can observe, infused along the surfaces of busted cross-sections.
Why is it called 'Basalt' ? If the lava had remained below the surface and cooled off (slowly) completely, it would have allowed further crystal formations to form within and would have eventually solidified as a type of 'granite'.
Instead, the molten rock expanded up above the ground (extrusive expansion / eruption activity) where it cooled rather rapidly and therefore did not allow for further coarse crystal growth beyond the tiny (gritty) silica bits.
The lack of crystal growth (due to rate of cooling differences) produced within lava, solidifying into rock, is basically what makes the difference between 'basalt' & 'granite'. This is also why granite is much stronger (harder to break) than basalt.
Why the sculpted columns? Good question! Simply put, the columnar 'cracks' are similar to the cracks one sees on a drying mud surface (ie. a rapidly dried puddle or pond, an evaporated desert lake/river bed perhaps). This is what happened to the rapidly cooling lava pipe column as it off-gassed and solidified. It went (in its appearance) from 'column' to 'columns'.
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TRIP SUMMARY:
Approx. 5.5k from pavement to lower columns parking. Allow 3/4 hrs. to drive or 3 ½ hrs. to hike up to the columns.
**Note** - High clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles recommended especially past the 1.5k mark. Many folks simply choose to hike the road up. Be mindful, this is rattlesnake, bear, cougar, and tick country! Also, pack at least 1-2 litres of 
water per person , as well as a small first-aid kit, during your excursion into this semi-desert out-back.
Look for fossils within the exposed embankment layers along your way up!
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(WP 1) N49 13.966 W119 49.483 - Turn off Hwy 97 onto Liddicote Rd.
(WP 2) N49 13.742 W119 48.915 - Turn off at Liddicote & Pin Cushion Trail Rd. junction. Heading uphill, gravel surface begins just beyond the lower paved parking (for hikers/quad loading) area.):
**Note** - Up on top, as you pass the transmission towers on your left, you’ll note a couple secondary roads heading towards them. These do not lead to the Keremeos Columns.
(WP 3) N49 13.777 W119 48.070 (elevation: 858m) - First significant ‘Y’ along main roadway. Both options join up again, so take your pick. Taking the left option is easier.
(WP 4) N49 13.900 W119 47.785 - Second significant ‘Y’ along main roadway. Take the ‘left’ road to reach the columns. After a couple kilometres you’ll come to a small cattle gate across the road. Be sure to close this gate behind your vehicle/self on the trip up and especially on the way back down.
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*** To acquire & maintain your smiley (No Geology background required!):
Please answer the following 3 field study questions:
1) -
- Within the debris field at the foot of the columns you’ll discover many broken chunks of the basalt. What is the colour of the small (1 – 2 mm) round ‘freckles’ or dots within and throughout this porphyritic rock?
2) -- What is the average thickness (width) of the individual columns?
3) -- How many (average) flat sides do the individual rock columns have (not looking at the cliff face, but when looking down at the pieces within the debris field)? Check the broken cross sections up close!
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Post up a pic!!!
EarthCache visits are fun accomplishments that offer a great photo opportunity.
A fun way to mark your visit, is to post up a picture of yourself and/or your geo-crew, or ... your pet, or perhaps a stuffed animal/action figure, or simply just your GPSr in front of one of this natural feature.
... also, ... feel free to ad a random trail-view/journey up pic as well! That'd be 'awsome'!!
(These are just some suggested options for enhancing your logged visit.)
*** Have a bit of fun/freedom with your picture posts eh! ***
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*** Please be respectful, pack out your garbage, don’t light campfires, don’t drive like a maniac, and remember to ‘Tread Lightly’ in your off-road vehicle, whenever you choose to visit this (these) geocaches! *** … Have Fun!
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3-Cheers
for 'grafinator' - 'FTF' - Oct. 22nd 2010
... "Yippy, FTF!?!
This was such an awesome adventure doing this earthcache.
Stopped by at the Clifton Ranch and chatted with Mr. Clifton for a good half an hour about the columns, raising cattle, life in the area, etc.
He was very nice and said to come back and visit anytime.
He also gave me some directions up to the columns as I somehow did not have the earthcache in my GPS.
I drove up just past the towers, and then at the advice of Mr. Clifton, I walked up to the columns, from the fork in the road, which was about 2 kms.
Met many cows up alone the road, and then I was finally there.
Wow, what an amazing spot.
I am so glad i did not just keep driving by.
TFTEC. ..."
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